The Arc of Western Wayne County: Serving people with disabilities

The Take Charge Helpline

Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment disorders are unusual reactions to a stressful event or situation.  Adjustment disorder is not the same as post traumatic stress syndrome, which is generally in response to a more severe stressor.  These reactions start within 3 months of the stressful event.

There are many different categories of adjustment disorders, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood, anxiety, mixed anxiety and depressed mood, disturbance of conduct, and unspecified.  Adjustment disorders are considered acute if they have lasted less than 6 months.  They are considered chronic if they have lasted more than 6 months.

Unfortunately, adjustment disorders are common, but the exact percent of the population who experience them is unknown.  Adjustment disorders can affect anyone regardless of gender, age, race or circumstance.  They depend on personal factors that vary from person to person and over a lifetime.

If you would like more information please contact The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Michigan chapter at 800-331-4264, or visit them online at www.namimi.org.

Phone code: 1758